Last month, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio — whose state has the second highest rate of homelessness after Hawaii — told MSNBC he would dedicate $1 billion to help the problem over the next four years after he came under fire for underplaying the issue. (Video via MSNBC)

"New York has always been a thriving beacon of opportunity, but in recent years, too many have fallen behind," said a narrator in a video put out by Mayor Bill de Blasio.